Okay, I slapped this on at 7 AM in a rush, and by 7:05 I forgot I was wearing sunscreen. That never happens.
Most SPFs feel like a dare — greasy, chalky, or like a film that’s slowly suffocating you. This one just… vanishes into a soft, blurred haze that makes my skin look like I slept 9 hours. I didn’t.
It’s Beauty of Joseon‘s Relief Sun — SPF50+ PA++++, around $18 for 50ml. The claim that got me? “Relief.” I was skeptical. Sunscreen doesn’t relieve; it protects.
The Texture
It’s a lightweight lotion — think runny moisturizer, not thick cream.
The Absorption
Literally 10 seconds. No pilling, no waiting around.
The Finish
Dewy but not greasy — like you just used a hydrating serum, not a highlighter.
Photo: Jana Ohajdova / Unsplash
The hero here is rice germ extract — it’s fermented, which sounds gross but actually means it’s packed with amino acids that calm and soften. Then probiotics to keep your skin barrier from freaking out under the sun.
- Rice Germ Extract: Soothes redness and boosts moisture
- Probiotics: Strengthens skin barrier against UV stress
- Niacinamide: Fades dark spots and controls excess oil
- Squalane: Locks in hydration without clogging pores
Photo: Aleksandrs Karevs / Unsplash
It glides on like a primer — I actually feel it blurring my pores for a second before it dries down. Zero white cast, even on my medium-tan skin. My foundation went on smoother after, which was a bonus I didn’t expect.
Week two: I’m shocked my combo-oily T-zone hasn’t turned into a grease pit by noon. It’s not mattifying, but it’s balanced. The one surprise? It stung my eye once when I got sweaty. Just once.
Photo: BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific / Unsplash
My redness is noticeably calmer, and my skin feels softer by evening — which is weird for a sunscreen. But my dark spots haven’t faded dramatically. It’s a protect-and-maintain player, not a treatment.
Photo: Diane Walton / Unsplash
This is the sunscreen I’ll repurchase until they stop making it. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s the closest thing to “set and forget” I’ve found.